Spatio-temporal variability of public water supply characteristics and associated health hazards for children and adults in selected locations of Ambala, India.

The contamination of public water supply and groundwater resources is a major concern in many parts of developing nations. Polluted water poses serious health risks to humans and the environment. This research was conducted to investigate the seasonal variations of the water quality parameters in the public water supply. To assess the supply water quality in different blocks of Ambala District, hydro-chemical analysis was conducted after a series of systematic sampling in various locations. The statistical tools for water quality indexing including water quality indexing (WQI), heavy metal pollution indexing (HMPI), pollution indexing (PI), overall pollution indexing (OPI), metal indexing (MI), and hazard indexing (HI) were used for data as well as the health hazard analysis through water pathway. Overall, 40 water samples were taken from the public water supply systems covering winter and summer seasons, and the levels of pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), EC, F- , Cl- , NO3 - , SO4 2- , HCO3 - , As, B, Cd, Co, Pb, Zn, Cr, Fe, and Mn were investigated. The weight arithmetic index method was used for WQI, and water pollution indices such as HMPI, PI, OPI, and MI were calculated using different models to check the severity of contamination. The mean hazard quotient and hazard index values calculated using the concentration levels of As, B, Cd, Co, Pb, Cr, Fe, Mn, Zn, F- , and NO3 - reveal that supply water may pose a significant health risk to both adults and children that further varies with temporal and spatial changes. During both seasons, a high carcinogenic risk for both adults and children was observed in the studied area because of high levels of As, Pb, Cd, and NO3 - . PRACTITIONER POINTS: The quality of public supply water was assessed at the selected sites of Ambala, India. High levels of NO3 - , As, Cd, and Pb were observed posing a health risk to adults and children via water pathway. 95% of the samples qualified for the excellent water quality category with respect to the levels of F- , Cl- , NO3 - , SO4 2- , HCO3 - , pH, EC, and TDS. Statistical analysis (HMPI, PI, MI, OPI, HI) using different models revealed water contamination with reference to the levels of NO3 - , As, Pb, Cr, Ni, and Cd. Immediate measures are needed to uphold the safety and health of the natives.

Significance of an Electrochemical Sensor and Nanocomposites: Toward the Electrocatalytic Detection of Neurotransmitters and Their Importance within the Physiological System.

A prominent neurotransmitter (NT), dopamine (DA), is a chemical messenger that transmits signals between one neuron to the next to pass on a signal to and from the central nervous system (CNS). The imbalanced concentration of DA may cause numerous neurological sicknesses and syndromes, for example, Parkinson's disease (PD) and schizophrenia. There are many types of NTs in the brain, including epinephrine, norepinephrine (NE), serotonin, and glutamate. Electrochemical sensors have offered a creative direction to biomedical analysis and testing. Researches are in progress to improve the performance of sensors and develop new protocols for sensor design. This review article focuses on the area of sensor growth to discover the applicability of polymers and metallic particles and composite materials as tools in electrochemical sensor surface incorporation. Electrochemical sensors have attracted the attention of researchers as they possess high sensitivity, quick reaction rate, good controllability, and instantaneous detection. Efficient complex materials provide considerable benefits for biological detection as they have exclusive chemical and physical properties. Due to distinctive electrocatalytic characteristics, metallic nanoparticles add fascinating traits to materials that depend on the material's morphology and size. Herein, we have collected much information on NTs and their importance within the physiological system. Furthermore, the electrochemical sensors and corresponding techniques (such as voltammetric, amperometry, impedance, and chronoamperometry) and the different types of electrodes' roles in the analysis of NTs are discussed. Furthermore, other methods for detecting NTs include optical and microdialysis methods. Finally, we show the advantages and disadvantages of different techniques and conclude remarks with future perspectives.

Air Pollutants Removal Using Biofiltration Technique: A Challenge at the Frontiers of Sustainable Environment.

Air pollution is a central problem faced by industries during the production process. The control of this pollution is essential for the environment and living organisms as it creates harmful effects. Biofiltration is a current pollution management strategy that concerns removing odor, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other pollutants from the air. Recently, this approach has earned vogue globally due to its low-cost and straightforward technique, effortless function, high reduction efficacy, less energy necessity, and residual consequences not needing additional remedy. There is a critical requirement to consider sustainable machinery to decrease the pollutants arising within air and water sources. For managing these different kinds of pollutant reductions, biofiltration techniques have been utilized. The contaminants are adsorbed upon the medium exterior and are metabolized to benign outcomes through immobilized microbes. Biofiltration-based designs have appeared advantageous in terminating dangerous pollutants from wastewater or contaminated air in recent years. Biofiltration uses the possibilities of microbial approaches (bacteria and fungi) to lessen the broad range of compounds and VOCs. In this review, we have discussed a general introduction based on biofiltration and the classification of air pollutants based on different sources. The history of biofiltration and other mechanisms used in biofiltration techniques have been discussed. Further, the crucial factors of biofilters that affect the performance of biofiltration techniques have been discussed in detail. Finally, we concluded the topic with current challenges and future prospects.

Biochar Adsorbents for Arsenic Removal from Water Environment: A Review.

Arsenic intake can cause human health disorders to the lungs, urinary tract, kidney, liver, hyper-pigmentation, muscles, neurological and even cancer. Biochar is potent, economical and ecologically sound adsorbents for water purification. After surface modifications, adsorption capacity of biochar significantly increased due to high porosity and reactivity. Adsorption capacities of the biochar derived from the municipal solid waste and KOH mixed municipal solid waste were increased from 24.49 and 30.98 mg/g for arsenic adsorption. Complex formation, electrostatic behavior and ion exchange are important mechanisms for arsenic adsorption. Organic arsenic removal using biochar is a major challenge. Hence, more innovative research should be conducted to achieve one of the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations i.e. "providing safe drinking water for all". This review is focused on the arsenic removal from water using pristine and modified biochar adsorbents. Recent advances in production methods of biochar adsorbents and mechanisms of arsenic removal from water are also illustrated.

Impact of indian public health standards for rural health care facilities on national programme for control of deafness in India: The results of a cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: In National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPCD), the management of ear diseases of rural India is now guided by Revised Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for Rural Health Facilities for providing quality ear care. However, despite the IPHS existence, coverage and quality ear care is questionable. Moreover, this issue has not yet been studied till now in the Indian context. The objective of the study was to assess the role of Private Medical College Training Center (Rural Health Training Centre [RHTC]) in augmenting quality of ear care services in NPPCD at district level by adopting IPHS Standards. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A combined retrospective and prospective cohort study was done at RHTC of a Medical College in West Uttar Pradesh from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2017, by retrospective approach of selecting all ear patients (n = 3840) and prospective way of assessing the impact of IPHS for ear care. The semi-structured Pro forma was used in exploring the coverage and quality of ear care. The data were analyzed by Epi Info version 7.2. RESULTS: Out of total 4817 ear, nose, and throat (ENT) patients, the majority of ear patients (n = 3840) were initially dissatisfied with coverage and quality of ear services provided by ENT specialists at RHTC. However, when IPHS exposure was given from July 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017, not only majority of patients were satisfied (n = 3110, 81%) but also ear curative treatment was significantly higher (n = 2120, 68.1% vs. n = 130, 17.8%, odds ratio = 9.8, RR = 1.5, P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to IPHS in NPPCD is essential for delivering better ear care by RHTC through primary health-care approach.

Predictors and consequences of "Phubbing" among adolescents and youth in India: An impact evaluation study.

BACKGROUND: "Phubbing" phenomenon, in the frequent use of a smartphone, describes the habit of snubbing someone in favor of a mobile phone. Its predictors and consequences are few in developed countries, but the literature lacks information on its actual occurrence and impact on adolescents and youth in a developing country such as India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This impact evaluation study was carried out as part of the Phubbing Project of the University of Poland for 6 months (November 15, 2016-May 15, 2017) on a sample of 400 adolescents and youth selected randomly from the five colleges in the district of Muzaffarnagar of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Data were collected through the Internet using e-questionnaires sent to all students. The phubbing predictors' and consequences' scales available in literature were used and data were analyzed by a mixed method to get the study findings. RESULTS: The prevalence of phubbing was 49.3%. The most important predictors associated with phubbers were Internet addiction (p < 0.0001, Odds Ratio 2.26), smartphone addiction (OR 25.9), fear of missing out (OR 18.8), and the lack of self-control (p < 0.0001, OR = 0.73-1.72). Phubbing also had significant consequences on their social health, relationship health, and self-flourishing, and was significantly related to depression and distress. Logistic regression analysis showed significant impact of phubbing predictors on phubbing consequences in phubbers, especially in depressed and distress status. CONCLUSION: Adolescents and youth of India need special guidance from government adolescent clinics or colleges or even families to control this habit in order to promote better physical, mental, and social health.

A Comparative Evaluation of Public Health Centers with Private Health Training Centers on Primary Healthcare Parameters in India: a Study by Data Envelopment Analysis Technique.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of primary healthcare services provided by health training centers of a private medical college has not been studied in comparison with government health facilities in Indian context. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is one such technique of operations research, which can be used on health facilities for identifying efficient operating practices and strategies for relatively efficient or inefficient health centers by calculating their efficiency scores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out by DEA technique by using basic radial models (constant ratio to scale (CRS)) in linear programming via DEAOS free online Software among four decision making units (DMUs; by comparing efficiency of two private health centers of a private medical college of India with two public health centers) in district Muzaffarnagar of state Uttar Pradesh. The input and output records of all these health facilities (two from private and two from Government); for 6 months duration from 1(st) Jan 2014 to 1(st) July 2014 was taken for deciding their efficiency scores. RESULTS: The efficiency scores of primary healthcare services in presence of doctors (100 vs 30%) and presence of health staff (100 vs 92%) were significantly better from government health facilities as compared to private health facilities (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of primary healthcare services delivery by DEA technique reveals that the government health facilities group were more efficient in delivery of primary healthcare services as compared to private training health facilities group, which can be further clarified in by more in-depth studies in future.

Epidemiological study on healthy subjects affected by agriculture crop-residue burning episodes and its relation with their pulmonary function tests.

Impact of agriculture crop-residue burning (ACRB) was studied on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) of 50 healthy subjects (13-53 years). Human subjects with no previous history of lung disease were residents of five sampling sites. Investigations were carried out from February 2007 to January 2010 using spirometry. Simultaneously, concentration levels of suspended particulate matter (PM) and fine particulates (PM2.5 and PM10) were monitored using high volume sampler and Anderson Cascade Impactor, respectively. The PFTs show a significant (p < 0.05) decrease, while PM shows momentous increase during exhaustive burning of wheat and rice crop residues. Effect of ACRB on the peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) is more than that on force expiratory flow (FEF25-75%). The PEF and FEF25-75% recovered to some extent on completion of burning period, while PFTs like force vital capacity and force expiratory volume did not show a significant improvement. Due to greater concentration of fine particulates during rice crop-residue burning (CRB) than wheat CRB, there was a greater effect on pulmonary functions. The ACRB, in general, poses more effect on the lower and upper age groups in comparison to the middle age group subjects. All the analyses are well supported with large significant levels (p < 0.05) obtained by using the paired t-test.

Effects of exposure to rice-crop residue burning smoke on pulmonary functions and oxygen saturation level of human beings in Patiala (India).

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) like Force Vital Capacity (FVC), Force Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Force Expiratory Flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (FEF(25-75%)) and Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) level of 50 healthy inhabitants with respect to rice crop residue burning were investigated for three rice cultivation periods from 2007 to 2009. The subjects were residents of five sampling sites selected in Patiala city. Concentration of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Sulfur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter (PM) of size less than 10 and 2.5 µm (PM10 and PM2.5) were measured by using High Volume Sampler (HVS) and Cascade Anderson Impactor. Results show that rice crop residue burning increases the pollution level in the ambient air, and PFTs undergo a significant decrease in their respective values. No significant change was seen in SpO2 level during rice crop residue burning. In 2008, an increase of 10 µg m⁻³ in PM2.5, PM10, SPM and NO2 was associated significantly with decrease in FVC in percentages predicted -1.541, -1.002, -1.178, -0.232%, respectively. The decrease in air quality due to open rice crop residue burning has sub acute effect on pulmonary functions of healthy subjects and that SO2 and NO2 have less adverse effects on pulmonary functions than with different size Particulate Matter.

Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and perception of the north Indian population toward adoption of contraceptive practices.

BACKGROUND: and context. Uncontrolled and exponentially increasing population is one of the biggest obstacles in the socioeconomic progress and prosperity of a nation. AIMS: and objectives. The present study was undertaken to evaluate contraceptive practices among eligible couples living in the rural areas of Punjab and their perception, knowledge, attitude, and behavior toward various family planning methods. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was done by the interview method to evaluate the various individual determinants toward contraceptive practices among 1123 married women and their husbands aged between 15 and 49 years. Eligible couples (5477) from in and around the hospital were registered at the rural health center of our institute. Statistical analysis was carried out using nonparametric tests such as percentand χ(2) test. RESULTS: . Contraceptive prevalence was found to be 78.1% and the most commonly used method was surgical sterilization (42.3%). Among the spacing methods, condoms, oral contraceptive pills, and intrauterine contraceptive devices (Cu-T) were used by 36.4%, 7.4%, and 5.5% of the couples, respectively while traditional methods were preferred by 8.3% of the women. Weakness, menstrual dis infertility, weight gain, etc were few of the side effects that were perceived by women as the main hurdle in the use of contraceptives. Irrespective of the method of contraception used, 33.3% of the women reported unwanted pregnancy, most commonly among the users of condoms (79.1%). Sixpercent of the women were not satisfied with the gender composition of their family and desired a male child. CONCLUSIONS: . Increased use of modern contraceptives requires community-wide and multifaceted interventions that aim at countering negative perceptions about modern methods.

Study of size and mass distribution of particulate matter due to crop residue burning with seasonal variation in rural area of Punjab, India.

Emission from field burning of agricultural crop residue is a common environmental hazard observed in northern India. It has a significant potential health risk for the rural population due to respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM). A study on eight stage size segregated mass distribution of RSPM was done for 2 wheat and 3 rice crop seasons. The study was undertaken at rural and agricultural sites of Patiala (India) where the RSPM levels remained close to the National Ambient Air quality standards (NAAQS). Fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) contributed almost 55% to 64% of the RSPM, showing that, in general, the smaller particles dominated during the whole study period with more contribution during the rice crop as compared to that of wheat crop residue burning. Fine particulate matter content in the total RSPM increased with decrease in temperature. Concentration levels of PM(10) and PM(2.5) were higher during the winter months as compared to that in the summer months. Background concentration levels of PM(10), PM(2.5) and PM(10-2.5) were found to be around 97 ± 21, 57 ± 15 and 40 ± 6 µg m(-3), respectively. The levels increased up to 66, 78 and 71% during rice season and 51, 43 and 61% during wheat crop residue burning, respectively. Extensive statistical analysis of the data was done by using pair t-test. Overall results show that the concentration levels of different size particulate matter are greatly affected by agricultural crop residue burning but the total distribution of the particulate matter remains almost constant.

Effects of agriculture crop residue burning on children and young on PFTs in North West India.

Variations in pulmonary function tests (PFTs) due to agriculture crop residue burning (ACRB) on children between the age group of 10 to 13 years and the young between 20 to 35 years are studied. The effects of exposure to smoke due to rice-wheat crop residue burning on pulmonary functions like Force Vital Capacity (FVC), Force Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV(1)), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Force Expiratory Flow in 25 to 75% of FVC (FEF(25-75%)) on 40 healthy subjects of rural/agricultural area of Sidhuwal village of Patiala City were investigated for a period from August 2008 to July 2009. Measurements were taken by spirometry according to the American Thoracic Society standards. High volume sampler (HVS) and Anderson Impactor were used to measure the concentration levels of SPM, PM(10) and PM(2.5) in ambient air of the Sidhuwal village. A significant increase in the concentration levels of SPM, PM(10) and PM(2.5) was observed due to which PFTs of the subjects showed a significant decrease in their values, more prominently in the case of children. PFTs of young subjects recovered up to some extent after the completion of burning period but the PFT values of children remained significantly lower (p<0.001) even after the completion of burning episodes. Small size particulate matter (PM(2.5) and PM(10)) affected the PFTs to a large extent in comparison to the large size particulate matter (SPM). The study indicates that ACRB is a serious environmental health hazard and children are more sensitive to air pollution, as ACRB poses some unrecoverable influence on their PFTs.